Liquid controlling attachment for wet rollers



Feb. 23, 1954 2,669,927

LIQUID CONTROLLING ATTACHMENT F65 WET ROLLERS Filed Oct. 20, 1951 r my, I:

34 32 so 36 a4 50 a2 2 22 5s 2e 4e 22 56 i FIG. 4 I M INVENTOR.

CHARLES H. ELLIS ATTORNEY turn mounted on the machine frame.

Patented Feb. 23, 1954 UNITD TT OFICE LIQUID CONTROLLING ATTAUHMENT FOR WET ROLLERS 13 Claims.

This invention relates; to an attachment for wet rollers and more particularly to an auxiliary liquid control apparatus that is particularly adapted for attachment on a machine in conjunction with a driven wet roller.

According to the present invention, an attachment is provided for use in conjunction with a rotating wet roller to prevent an over accumulation of liquid at certain points on the wet roller and to provide a means of controlling the accumulation of the liquid. In many types of machines, as for example printing and lithographing machinery, absorbent covered rollers extending the width of the machines rotate in a pan of liquid for the purpose of saturating the absorbent material on each rotation. These rollers operate in conjunction with other rollers and transfer small quantities of the liquid. In this manner, a series of rollers are wet on their surface with a fine film of liquid that is being supplied from the primary roller.

At times, the demand for the liquid is not as great as other times and the liquid has a tendency to accumulate on the primary wet roller. When this occurs, the centrifugal and centripital forces cause the liquid to be slung from the roller down into the machinery and onto the machinery parts or on the material passing through the machine. For example, occasionally in the operation of lithographing presses sheets of paper less than full roller width are run down the middle of the machine positioned in alignment with the center of the rollers. When the machines are being run in this manner with less than full sheets, the liquid near the ends of the wet roller is not being carried away and it accumulates. The present invention provides an attachment for the machine which cooperates with the wet roller in an adjustable manner to eliminate the over accumulation.

Briefly described, the present invention comprises a short roller rotatably mounted on support members and the support members are in An ad justable pressure means is associated with the short roller and support members and is arranged to provide an accurate adjustment when the short roller cooperates with the wet roller on the machine. The entire device is provided with means for quick detachment from the machine frame and for the substitution of other sizes of short rollers.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 3

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the present invention with dotted lines to illustrate an adjustment.

Fig. 2 is a side view of the device of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of a detail.

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view of a portion of a machine with the device of the present invention mounted thereon.

Referring to the drawings for more detail, a short roller ii! is supported for rotation on a shaft l2 and retained thereon by a collar I3. A pair of spaced, opposed levers It and 16 having respective journal portions I8 and 20 at each elbow are positioned one at each end of the roller it with the respective ends of the shaft I2 being supported for rotation in the journals [8 and 20. Lever i4 comprises angularly disposed arm members 22 and 24, and lever I6 is constructed in an identical manner, one of the arms 26 of lever it being in alignment with the arm 22 of lever l4, as is seen in Figure 1.

Arms 22 and 26 have end journal portions 28 and 30 respectively formed thereon which portions 28, 39 are in alignment to receive a connecting rod 32 extending between the levers l4 and It substantially parallel to the roller H). The ends of the connecting rod 32 are retained in the respective journals 28, 30 by means of pairs of collar members 34, 35, respectively, mounted on the rod 32 and retained in place by respective set screws 38 and 40. The arm 24 of lever 14, as is seen in Figure 2, has its end portion 42 formed as an open collar of hook-like fashion and lever I5 is formed in an identical manner with a portion 43. A locking tab 44 is mounted on a pivot 46 on the arm 24 in such a manner as to extend across a portion of the open end 42 in one position and being movable out of the open portion in another position. With this arrangement, both the levers I l and 16 may be detaohably mounted on a frame member of the machine, such as a brace rod 46 (see Fig. 2).

Referring to Figures 2 and 3, an adjustable pressure device designated generally at 48 is arranged in conjunction with the short roller l0 and the levers l4 and I6. This pressure device comprises a bifurcated shackle member 58 having a threaded stud 52 extending in an opposite direction from a bifurcated portion 53. The stud 52 passes through an open shoulder member 5:1 formed at the upper end of a tubular connecting link 56 and is retained in place therein by a butterfly nut 58. A coil spring 60 is interlposed under compression between the shoulder 54 and an abutment 62 formed adjacent to the bifurcated portion 53.

The connecting link 56 is formed with a bore 64 which receives the shaft 66 of a fastener 63 having a hook-like member 10 formed integrally therewith. Link 56 is formed with an internal shoulder H at the upper end of the bore 64 and the upper end of the shaft 66 abuts this shoulder ll upon full insertion in the bore 64. Member 10 has an adjusting and locking screw 12 threadedly engaging a protrusion '74 and locking screw 12 is adapted to operate toward the center of the hook portion. With this arrangement, the hooklike portion 10 is placed on the brace rod 4-5 inbetween the levers l4 and I6, and the adjusting screw 12 is tightened against the rod 46 to lock the portion 10 and shaft 66 in place. The connecting link 56 and shackle member 150 is then swiveled around the shaft 66 to a location substantially perpendicular to the rod 32 in which position the bifurcated portion 53 engages the rod 32. The bifurcated portion '53 is locked in place Lby-a removable pin 76.

Referring to Figure 4, a conventional machine,

designated generally at 7:8, comprises vertical frame members BB, 32 supporting a transverse power driven wet roller 34 turning in a bath of liquid contained in a pan =86. The wet roller 34 operates on a shaft 88 and is usually covered with absorbent materials .93 and '92. The apparatus of the present invention is mounted on the transverse brace rod 46. In assembling the apparatus'on the brace rod '46 the end portions 42 :and 45 and the fastener B8 are loosely connected until all the parts are properly placed. Then the adjusting screw '52 istightened and the short roller Ill liesxin position'against the wet roller :84. In placing the levers l4 and 16 on the rod 46,; the tab 44 is moved across the top of rod 45 to prevent vertical displacement.

With theapparatus "in position on the machine 18, a quadrilateral pattern of forces is formed through the action of the links M and i6, the connecting linkBB, fastener 68, and the coil spring 60 in conjunction with the shackle member '50. Since the spring 60 is under compression, the normal action of the links Hand 16 under the :force of the shackle '9 is rto force the roller l0 against the wet roller 584. Both the links M and 46 are free to pivot about the rod .32 on one end and the rod 46 on the other end, being limited in pressure by the action of the spring '60.

Tightening the butterfly nut 58 on the stud- 52 compresses the-spring 60 and relieves the pressure :of the short roller ill on the wet roller 84. Conversely, loosening the nut 58 causes more pressure on the roller '84. This provides a very accurate adjustment between the two rollers and-84. If it is desired to bring the roller '10 out of contact with theroller 84, the-entire apparatus may be dis-assembled in the manner of assembly previously explained or thev adjusting screw 12 may be loosened and the entire apparatus pivoted relative to the rod without disassembly. Once the apparatus is out of position,

the screw 72 .is tightened to hold the apparatus in place out of position.

In the particular application illustrated ,in Fi ure 4, the demand for the liquid would be primarilyin the center portion of the wet roller and therefore the liquid absorbed on the ends of the roller 84 would normally tend to accumulate. If this were permitted to take place, the accumulated liquid would be thrownuby the rotatlo'nalforces away from the roller 84 into other parts of themachine. Two of theapparatusesiof the present invention are mountedon the brace rod 45 in the manner previously described, there being one placed at each end of the roller 84. After the roller 84 turns in the pan 86 a few times and begins to absorb moisture, the rate of absorption is observed and the pressure between the rollers l0 and the Wet roller 84 is adjusted accordingly by means of the butterfly nut '53. "The machine continues to run in this manner under the observance of the press operator. If it is necessary, as can be readily observed from casual checking, the two liquid controllers may be adjusted from time to time to maintain an accurate absorption of liquid.

If the type of run for the machine is changed,

" it may be desirable to change the width of the roller it, either to shorten or lengthen it according to the expected rate of absorption. This is easily effected, as is seen by the dotted lines in Figure 1, by loosening the innermost collars,

36 on the left hand and 34 on "the right hand,

on the connecting rod 3.2 and one of the collars 1'3 on'the' roller shaft [2. Then the respective arms 22 and 26 are moved toward oraway from the other respective arm .on each unit.

In the example of Figure 1, the roller 10 is being widened to 'a roller 10'. After the arm 26 has been moved, the roller ll] is removed-and the new roller it substituted in its place. Now "the collars 36'and l3-are tightened. .Ii desiredpa telescopic type roller may be employed so that the width of the roller may be altered without substitution of a complete newrone. When it :is not necessary'to use the'present liquid controller. the entire apparatus may be moved nut ofzplace H in the manner as explained previously.

It is apparent that I haveprovided an apparatus that is effective and maybe readily fabricated and assembled. Further, the present invention may be installed on machinery already in use or may be incorporated :in the initial construction of the machine.

Although a preferred embodiment i's'presented for the purpose of, illustration and one application of the invention is shown, other and fur- 'ther 'modifica'tions, substitutions, and applications may be madewithout'departing from the scope of the invention as "defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a device of the class described, a pair-of :oppo'sed levers, 'ashort roller rotatabl'y supported :onsaid levers, .a connecting member joining .said levers, means on saidlevers for attachment to a machine frame, a firstpressure member detachably engaging said connecting member, a sec- :ond pressure memberassociated with said first pressure :member and having meansthereon permitting movement thereb'etween, said second pressure member having other-means thereon ,lfor connecting :to .a machine drama to provide a selectively fixed adjustmentrsupport, spring means interposed .between said first and second connecting members, and :spring adjustmentzmeans for varying the pressure exerted .by said spring,

' whereby said roller may be detachably mounted .in cooperation with, a rotatable wet machine element and the pressure .therebetween readily adjusted.

2. Ina device of the class-describeda pair :of opposed levers each comprising first and second rigidly connected angularly spaced arm mem- ,bers, a roller rotatably. supported on said first arm members, .{ax-connectingimember'xjoining said second arm members, :meansnn said second (3m members for movable attachment to :a machine frame, a shackle member associated with said connecting member, said shackle member having means thereon for connection to a machine frame, and adjustable pressure means associated with said shackle member and said machine frame, whereby said roller may be detachably mounted in cooperation with a rotatable wet machine element.

3. In a device of the class described, a pair of opposed levers, a roller rotatably supported on said levers, a first connecting member joining said levers, means on said levers for attachment to and quick detachment from a machine frame, a shackle member detachably engaging said first connecting member, a second connecting member movably engaging said shackle member and having means thereon permitting relative move- -ment therebetween, said second connecting member having other means thereon for connecting to a machine frame to provide a selectively fixed adjustment support, pressure means interposed between said shackle member and said connecting member, and means for varying the pressure exerted by said means, whereby said roller may be detachably mounted in cooperation with a rotatable wet machine element and the pressure therebetween readily adjusted.

4. In a device of the class described, a pair of opposed levers each comprising first and second angularly spaced arm members, a roller rotatably supported on said levers, a first connecting member joining said first arm members, means on said second arm members for quick attachment to and detachment from a machine frame, a shackle member detachably engaging said first connecting member, a second connecting member movably engaging said shackle member permitting relative movement therebetween, sec ond connecting member having means thereon for connecting to a machine frame forming part of a quadrilateral pressure adjustment, spring means interposed between said shackle member and said second connecting member, and spring adjustment means for varying the pressure exerted by said spring, whereby said roller may be detachably mounted in cooperation with a rotatable Wet machine element and the pressure therebetween readily adjusted.

5. In an attachment for the rigid frame of a wet roller machine. a short roller movably mounted on supports on said machine and being positioned to contact the Wet roller, a pressure adjustment means in the form of a distortional quadrilateral with the rigid machine frame as one corner thereof comprising the roller supports on the machine frame, a fixed member on the machine frame, a radially extending member mounted on the short roller, and a connecting shackle member adjustably associated with. the upper end of said fixed member and with said radially extending member, resilient pressure means cooperating with said fixed member and said shackle member, and adjustment means for said pressure means.

6. In an attachment for wet roller machines, a short roller movably mounted on opposed arms on the machine and adapted for tangential contact with the surface of the wet roller, opposed support arms pivotally mounted on the roller and extending radially above, an upstanding pressure adjustment member fixed on said machine intermediate said roller and being separate from said support arms, a movable upper section on said adjustment member, a pressure supporting member opposed to said roller support arms and cooperating with the movable upper end o1 said pressure adjustment member forming a distortional quadrilateral with said roller positioned for movement therewith, and adjustable pressure means cooperating with said pressure adjustment member and said pressure connecting member exerting resilient pressure in said quadrilateral and permitting increasing or decreasing the pressure of said short roller on said long roller.

'7. In a device of the class described, a roller rotatably mounted and pivotally supported on a rigid machine frame, a'first connecting member mounted on said roller and having a portion thereof extending to a point in spaced relationship thereto, a shackle member detachably engaging said first connecting member for limited movement thereon, a fastener adapted to be fixedly and detachably mounted on a rigid machine element in spaced relationship to said roller, an adjustment connecting member associated with said fastener for rotational and extensible movement thereon, means movably joining said adjustment connecting member and said shackle member, pressure means between said connecting member and said shackle member, and adjustment means for said pressure means.

8. In a device of the class described, a pair of opposed levers each having a pair of arm members with an arm on one lever being opposed to a respective arm on the other lever, a'roller journaled for rotation on said levers, a'connecting member extending between a respective pair of opposed arm members and spaced from said roller, adjustable retaining means for said connecting member, attachment means on the other pair of opposed arm members for quick attachment on and detachment from a machine element, a fastener adapted for rigid attachment on and detachment from a machine element intermediate said opposed arm members and having an adjustment connecting member mounted thereon, pressure means acting on said connecting member and adapted-to be compressed by said adjustment connecting member, and an adjustment means for adjusting the pressure exerted by said pressure means.

9. In a device of the class described, a pair of opposed levers each having a pair of arm members with an arm on one lever being opposed to a respective arm on the other lever, a roller journaled for rotation on said levers, a first connecting member extending between a respective pair of opposed arm members and spaced from said roller, adjustable retaining means for said first connecting member, attachment means on the other pair of opposed arm members for quick attachment on and detachment from a machine element, an adjustment connecting member for rotational and extensible movement on the machine, a shackle member having one end thereof retained in loose engagement with said con necting member and having the other end thereof movably engaging said adjustment connecting member, spring means adapted to be compressed by said adjustment connecting member and exerting pressure on said first connecting member, and an adjustment means for said spring.

10. In a device of the class described, a roller adapted to be pivotally mounted and journaled for rotation on a machine frame, a first connecting member mounted on said roller and having a portion thereof in spaced relation thereto, a fastener adapted for rigid attachment on and detachment from a machine element, an adjustment connecting member having a portion there- 3 at. mmmted-romsaiiiasfienerz tonrotatimal and *MHSibIEdIIlIVHIIEMhflRLBflEIYEDIB inxsa-id; eonueeting-zmembenz a shackle: member hauling zone ens-thereof; retainea .in loose: engagement with satctifirst. connecting member 'anmhavmg the other end; thereof threaded, saidthreadzed: end beinginsertedthrough said "aperture; in said actjnstment connecting member, spring means adaptedto be compressed-4flayv said adjustment mnnecting. member,' and. an adjustment nut. on

saint threadedrend-bearing: against: said adjustmenteormectingmemben 1 1:11.. in; a "device ofthe class described, a; pair oi .opposedulevers'having a. pair of arm. members omeach aamarmions'one leverbeing opposed a: respeetive .armmn the other lever, aroller dominated-for rotation :on said lenersyaconnecting: member extending; between a respective pair of: opposed armpmembers and. :spaoed;- from .said

moilemedjustable. retainingJmeansL for said can.-

fleeting-member; attachment means on the other opposedalm members fior qniekxattachmentaonranolsdetachment froma machine elemant s-a. fastener-adapted. for rigid attachment on: andfdetaehment from a machine elementan adjustmentfeonnectingmember having a portion thereof mounted; onsaidfastener for rotational and extensible movementan aperture in said connecting. member. a shacklewmember having oneemi thereof. retained. in loose engagement with. said connecting. member and having. the other-end thereof: threaded; said threaded. end beingthroughsaid aperture in said ad.- justment connecting; member, spring .means adaptetobe compressed by said-adjustment connecting. member;,;ancl anadjustment nut on said threaded end-bearing against said adjust ment. eonneettng member.

12;: AJl'iQ tLiidx eontrol ltng device forrattachment touacmachine' frame whiohraa wet: roller is journaled comprising; a short roller. "pi-votaily and; detachably 'nmunted adjacent: thezwet' roller on opposed-arms extending .from a rigid; machine elemente a :nrstzmembendetachabtyifixed machine. frame insspaced zrelation: tozrsaid roller and having an upwardlyextendtngportiontherw of rotatable andz. eatensiblena: second member fixed on sai'ct roller; arms: and having. a portitm thereof protruding therefroms substantially above the periphery of. said roller. in spaced-relation to said first member, pressure means-interposed.she-- tweensaidfirst.memberwand the protruding portion of. said seeondamember,.: and adjustment means for said pressure means...

. 1.3. Ina devieeot. the-:classudescribedor attachment to a rigid machine element'to control the liquid.v supply on a rotatablewet roller, a short roller, support, members fastened. on said machine rotatably supporting the roller. anatheming meansthereonpermitting. limited. movement of said, roller. against the.- su-rfiaoe sot thewet roller, apressure. adjustment member :detaohahly fixed onthejmachine-and having a shoulder portion spacedaway. from and above the shortarollez, first meanscassociated with theshort having, an. e1c.gageablesurfacev for. receiving. and transferring pressure. exerted thereon, to. mime the short rollers-against "the wet roller-z. resilient means .interposedhuncler pressure between-said pressure adjustment shoulder portion-and the engageable surface. oi saidfirst means,,.-and adjustment means for varyingthepressure exertedhy saiclv resilient. means on said first means thereby varying. the. pressureexertecLby said first means on saidroller.

CHARLES. H. ELLIS;

References Cited thefil Of this...patent.

UNI'JI'ED'v STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,364,257 Dobbel'fim Jana -4 1'92). 2,162,248 Dei'aplane '4 June 13', 1939 2,178g069' Crafts; 31;"1'9'39 2,584,380 Delapl'ane' Feb-' 5, 1952 

